Ontario’s Greenbelt has a lot to offer. Yes, it’s two million acres of protected farmland, forests and wetlands. But the Greenbelt is more than its beautiful and productive landscapes — it is a statement about the way we see our region evolving, the priorities we are choosing and the way we will build our communities.

The Greenbelt is a working landscape. Farming and recreation in the Greenbelt support 161,000 jobs and $9.1 billion in economic activity. By protecting these sectors, we’re signalling that rural Ontario’s success is key to our region’s economic future.

The wetlands, forests and waterways of the Greenbelt filter our drinking water, clean the air and prevent flooding in our communities. By investing in these natural systems, we are choosing to use nature’s solutions to make us more resilient as the climate changes.

Over nine million people already live in the Greater Golden Horseshoe. The population is expected to grow to 13.5 million in the next 13 years. The Greenbelt asks us to grow not through more sprawl and congestion, but with thoughtfully designed communities close to transit and amenities.

Our region is enjoying a moment of tremendous opportunity — the Greenbelt is helping make sure we achieve it.